Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church's Picnic Day

On Sunday, after church service, the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church's families headed to Anjar to have their annual picnic day, that was organized by the Trustees Committee.
The Emmanuel Church members helped in preparing the food and the place. We thank Ms. H. Barsoumian, Mr. R. Chilingirian, Mr. & Mrs. S. Demirjian, Mrs. V. Demirjian, Mr. & Mrs. A. Ovigian, Mr. K. Astarjian, Ms. Sh. Demirjian, Mr. H. Hovsepian, and Ms. Dz. Demirjian.
Sixty two adults and children participated in this event, where food was shared, games were organized and played and had fellowship.
At the end of the event, Mr. N. Chaghatsbanian presented two national songs.
The families had a blessed time together and returned home safely at 6pm.































Haigazian University Honors the Armenian Printing and Publishing Houses

On Friday, December 7, 2012, within the framework of numerous events commemorating the 500th Anniversary of Armenian Printing and the 100th Anniversary of Armenian Press in Lebanon, Haigazian University honored the current Lebanese-Armenian printing and publishing houses, an event conducted under the patronage of the Minster of Industry, H.E. Vrej Sabounjian.
After the Lebanese national anthem, the event opened with the welcoming words of Dr. Antranig Dakessian, Director of the Armenian Diaspora Research Center. In the name of the 500th Anniversary organizing committee, Dakessian shared the importance of the Armenian printing and publishing houses in preserving the Armenian culture, identity and heritage. He noted that the oldest published book in Lebanon was in 1894, in both Armenian and Turkish with Armenian Alphabet.
Through a power point presentation, Dr. Armen Urneshlian, member of the organizing committee, traced the more than a century-long history of Armenian printing and publishing houses, noting that “currently 20 Armenian printing and publishing houses are operational in Lebanon,a number shrinked originally from140, around a century ago.” During his presentation, University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostain and Minister Sabounjian distributed appreciation plaques to representatives of those currently operating houses.
In his word, Minister Sabounjian expressed his ministry’s readiness to support the printing industry, as books are considered asvital agents in building righteous future generations, and pillars of healthy societies. In this respect, he encouraged the owners of the printing and publishing houses to improve and advance in their domain and production, and to issue even more publications on Armenian history, culture, philosophy, literature, art, etc… Sabounjian also gave the example of Hagop Meghabard, who, in 1512 printed the first Armenian book in Venice, Italy.
President Haidostian appreciated the efforts of the organizing committee for this unprecedented event, the extensive researchconducted in the field of printing and publishing houses. He finally highlighted the contribution the Armenian community has had on the local Lebanese printing industry.
At the end, the audience moved to the Mugar Hall and had the chance to watch a unique exhibition featuring rare Armenian books and manuscripts dating back to more than one century.


Mira Yardemian
PR Director

President of Armenia, H.E. Serge Sargsyan pays a historic visit to Haigazian University


Beirut, 28/11/12- Armenian President Serge Sargsyan during a three-day visit to Lebanon—addressed Haigazian University students and faculty, underlying the importance of fostering the ties between the two countries, Lebanon and Armenia. Present were a number of students from three other leading universities in Lebanon.
Sargsyan, who was heading a delegation of 20 people including four Ministers, of Foreign Affairs, Education, Diaspora and Culture, was first welcomed bythe University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, Board members, Deans, and Administrators.
The program started at the Mugar building, where the President and his delegation toured the Matossian Gallery having a look at a unique photo exhibitionfeaturing the history of the University, after which Sargsyan signed in the Golden Book of Haigazian, and registered words of appreciation.
While proceeding to the Philibosian, Mehagian and Heritage buildings, where symbols of Mount Ararat and the Cedar tree decorated the playground, Sargsyan was greeted by hundreds of students. A short cultural program was presented.

 In the First Armenian Evangelical Church Hall, Rev. Haidostian introduced President Sargsyan, noting that “Haigazian witnessed a special renaissance by this historic visit, the very first of a president of the Republic of Armenia”. Expressing his pride, Haidostian said that the Armenian spirit and identity are always present on campus, and that through ongoing cooperation with the Ministry of the Diaspora, as well as Armenian educational institutions, ties have been further strengthening with Armenia.
In recognition of the President’s achievements, and quoting the University’s motto, “truth, freedom and service,” Haidostian granted Sargsyan with the University’s Service Shield.
Sargsyan started his speech by first thanking the Lebanese President, General Michel Sleiman for his invitation, underlying the importance of the strong ties of the two countries, Lebanon and Armenia, which are linked by well entrenched and deep-rooted cultural and historical relations. He further encouraged the youth of both countries to visit and cooperate.
Commenting on the situation in the Middlle East, Sargsyan voiced his deep concern over Syria, especially on the fate of at least 80,000 Syrian Armenian in the war-torn country. He called for a halt to the bloodshed and restoring peace.
Turning into internal issues in Armenia, Sargsyan shared the economic and political challenges faced by his country, especially in resolving the issue of NagornoKarabagh, the issues related to protocol signature with Turkey, and the 100th commemoration of the Armenian genocide.
Sargsyan concluded his speech by a short Q & A session.

Mira Yardemian
PR Director

What does God expect from us?


“The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: ‘See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.’” Micah 6:8

I hear many people say, “You know I love God, but I don’t know what he wants for my life. I don’t know how to be a good disciple.”

As followers of Christ we shouldn’t have thoughts like these. Jesus made it pretty clear to us in His Word. Everywhere in the Bible, we see commandments on how to live and be fruitful for God. First of all, the two great commandments (Matt. 22:37-40):

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment.

2. Love others as much as you love yourself.

Indeed, both commandments seem the easiest thing to do in the world. Love is the most beautiful thing. But who does exactly Jesus refer to by saying “others”? My father, mother, best friend, brother, sister? Yes, but it doesn’t stop there. Some versions use the word “neighbor”. Who exactly is my neighbor? He refers to your enemy, the one that has caused you pain. To go even further, and to enlarge our borders, our neighbor is the little sick and hungry child in Kenya. That is precisely who Jesus was talking about.

Now, you may tell me, “My friend, I’m just a nobody in this world, with no special powers whatsoever.” Let me tell you something, God loves and uses nobodies. Have you ever heard of Agnes Bojaxhiu? Well, neither had I, but this woman is a Noble Prize winner and the founder of the Missionaries of Charity. You might know her as Mother Teresa, who said, “We can do no great things; only small things with great love.” A few years before her death, a journalist asked her, “What will happen, Mother Teresa, when you are no longer with us?” Her answer was: “I believe that if God finds a person even more useless than me, He will do even greater things through her.”

I’m sure you know Paul. But we often forget Saul, Paul’s past, the man who persecuted Christians. He was a nobody, but it’s because of him that the world knows about Jesus. The list is long. Rightly, Bette Reese has said, “If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.”

Did you know that there are more than 2000 verses in the Bible that refer to Justice and Poverty. Jesus has blessed us with so many great things so that we can in return help the needy, those who have less than us. In James 1:27 we read, “Religion that pleases God the Father must be pure and spotless. You must help needy orphans and widows and not let this world make you evil.” The Bible is full of such commandments.

Here are some facts for you: 1 out of 4 people is underweight in developing countries; 1 out of 7 people worldwide which means 854 billion people do not have enough food to sustain them. And here you go, 25000 children die of hunger every single day, which makes up more than 9 million children dead per

year. When you put your children to bed tonight, think of those 25000 children who laid down their lives today because they didn’t have what your children have.

You might be thinking, is Vahé aware of what he’s talking about? How in the world can I help all these children? Well, you can’t. However, you can help that one child who’s dying of hunger near you. Next time you pass by him or her, think of this little childs life, and think of how you can help. You would have done a big difference to that child!

This reminds me of the man who was walking on the beach when he saw tens of thousands of starfish lying on the beach, dying. He sat on a rock, crying and weeping for all those lives which were about to end. Then as he was weeping, he saw a man taking a starfish and throwing it back into the sea. The man was puzzled and asked the guy, “Sir, what are you doing? There must be tens of thousands of them here. You can’t throw each one by one back into the sea? There’s no way you can save all of them.” The man looked at him and answered, “It made a difference to that one.”

God doesn’t expect you to do everything. He only expects small things from everyone. He calls you to self-denial, to take up your cross and follow Him.

Do not forget, Jesus came for the poor and the sick (soul and body). He said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. I didn’t come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.” Mark 2:17

Indeed, the need for mission should be our third commandment! World Vision once did a survey on pastors to know where they set their priorities. 79% said worship, 55% children’s ministry, 57% evangelism, 47% discipleship. Unfortunately, only 18% considered helping the poor and hungry a priority in their ministry.

This is the essence of our religion as James clearly states. The World needs our help, that’s why Christ came to the World. People must see that followers of Christ are here to change the World, and not to adapt to our World’s way of life.

As Paul instructs Timothy, he does the same to us, “So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you to preach God’s message. Do it willingly even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins.”2 Timothy 4:1-2

Vahé Jebejian